The U.N. refugee agency Tuesday deplored the loss of life in the recent boat tragedy off the western coast of Myanmar, and stressed the need for urgent action to avert such incidents. According to available information, roughly 70 people, presumed to be Rohingya from Myanmar's Rakhine state, were on the boat when it capsized early Sunday off the coast of the state capital Sittwe. Eight survivors have been reported so far, while dozens of people, including women and children, are still missing and feared dead, a spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told reporters in Geneva. "As with the recent boat disasters on the Mediterranean, UNHCR's worry is that similar tragedies will follow unless actions are taken by concerned countries to address the causes and reduce the risks for those involved in dangerous journeys by sea," Adrian Edwards said. "2013 is by all accounts one of the worst years in terms of deadly incidents at sea."